Leeds ace Mike takes glory at successful Muddy Boots 10k

The biggest contingent of athletes in the race’s history hit the fields of Ripon on Sunday as the annual Muddy Boots 10k swept across the city.

More than 400 runners from up and down the Harrogate district took part in the ninth-running of the race, with a revised route from previous years.

Leeds Athletics Club legend Mike Burrett took the celebratory tape after completing the course in 34 minutes 23 seconds, more than two minutes clear of second place runner Andy Grant of Harrogate Harriers.

Burrett’s Leeds clubmate Aiden Adam came third in 37.02.

The Harriers had a strong contingent in the race, with Barry McGuire (37.12) and John Young (37.37) completing the top five. In their home race, Ripon Runners Michael Appleton (37.52) and Alex Fawcett (38.39) were the next two athletes to reach the finish. Alex’s 15-year-old son Lucas sneaked inside the top 50 in 48th in 45.12.

Runners star performer Sharon Barlow continued her impressive run of race victories with the women’s prize, racing home 11th overall in 40.19. Her teammate Donna Riddler took third place on the podium in the women’s class after clocking 42.31.

Ripon Runners took top honours in both the boys and girls fun run races, with Callum Hodgeson and Ella Foster both winners.

Race organiser Anneke Imeson hailed the event, saying: “The new course worked a treat, and it was great to see the seemingly endless mass of coloured shirts meandering along the river bank before the little kicker of a hill.”